Football: Top Performers, Week 1

Each Monday, we like to show a little recognition for the standout players from the weekend’s slate of games. Here’s the area’s best from Week 0.

Passing

Johnson QB Hunter Rittimann, gunslinger. Photo: Marvin Pfeiffer/E-N

1. Hunter Rittmann, Johnson: 17 of 27, 471 yards, six TDs
The son of Johnson head coach Ron Rittimann had a breakout performance in a wild 68-53 loss to Brandeis in which defense was more of an idea than a reality. More on his favorite target in a bit.

2. Nate Pearson, Churchill: 19 of 24, 260 yards, five TDs, one INT
Pearson carved up the Warren secondary, with just two incompletions in the first half. And, as you’ll see in a bit, he really, really likes throwing to Dimitri Flowers. What QB wouldn’t?

3. Brian Chapman, Brandeis: 10 of 13, 313 yards, four TDs
Coming out on the good side of a wild game, Chapman set a school record for passing yards and was efficient while doing it.

Rushing

1. Justin Stockton, Steele: 21 carries, 213 yards, five TDs
A typical day at the office for the Texas Tech commit in a big win over Judson. Get used to seeing his name here–as long as he gets the necessary touches.

2. Erin Mack, Sam Houston: 33 carries, 204 yards, three TDs
Yes, that’s the same Erin Mack who made a name for himself the last two seasons at Southwest. Now a Hurricane, he led Sam to its first victory since 2011.

3. Colton Applewhite, Seguin: 30 carries, 181 yards, five TDs
The Matadors have a workhorse in their backfield as Applewhite has put up two huge games in a row. This time, he even had the winning score in overtime as Seguin downed New Braunfels in the oldest continuous rivalry in Texas.

Receiving

Meet Josh Theissen, record-breaking WR. Photo: Marvin Pfeiffer/E-N

1. Josh Theissen, Johnson: Nine catches, 322 yards, two TDs
In a week in which 100-yard receiving performances were as common as the cold, Thiessen went out and set an area record for receiving yards. Catching a pair of 73-yard TDs helped. And he’s just a sophomore, folks.

3. Andre Wilson, Judson: 13 catches, 181 yards, one TD; one passing TD
The Rockets enjoyed a record-setting passing night of their own, but seven turnovers doomed them against Steele. Still, Wilson had a huge game (two other Rockets had 100 receiving yards as well), and emerged as Judson’s favorite target.

All-around

Ty Summers busts a move. Photo: Kin Man Hui/E-N

1. Garrett Smith, Smithson Valley QB: 20 of 29, 288 yards, four TDs; 20 carries, 125 yards, two TDs
Smith dominated each phase of the game in a blowout of Laredo United. We always knew the kid could run, but he’s made a lot of progress as a thrower for his senior season.

2. Ty Summers, Reagan QB: 16 of 24, 276 yards, one TD, one INT; 18 carries, 95 yards, two TDS
Summers engineered a fourth-quarter, comeback win over O’Connor. He’s a tough, physical runner who can throw, causing Panthers’ coach David Malesky to liken him to a Mack truck. That’s a compliment, I think.

3. Alex Flores, Boerne Champion QB: 12 of 26, 132 yards, two TDs, two INTs; 26 carries, 210 yards, one TD
The Chargers have had no shortage of big-time QBs, but Flores may be the best runner of the bunch, leading Champion to a big win over Dripping Springs.